What are the best openings to novels?

In 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen, 'It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.' This opening is brilliant as it quickly establishes a social context and the central theme of marriage and wealth that runs throughout the novel.

In my opinion, 'As the old house creaked and groaned, he felt a presence he couldn't explain. The air was thick with a stench of decay, and the shadows seemed to move on their own.' is a very effective opening. The description of the house gives a sense of age and decay, which is often associated with horror. The unexplained presence and the moving shadows build tension right from the start.

In 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen, the opening line 'It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.' is brilliant. It not only gives a peek into the society's values and the central theme of marriage in the novel but also has a touch of humor. It makes the reader curious about how the story will unfold around this concept.

Well, one great opening could be a mysterious murder scene that immediately hooks the reader. Like in 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' where a body is found in a strange and puzzling way.

One great opening is to start with a thought - provoking question. For example, 'Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in a world without colors?' This immediately grabs the reader's attention and makes them curious to find out more. It sets the tone for a story that could be about a world where something fundamental has been altered.

Beginning with a vivid description can be great. Like in 'The Great Gatsby' where it starts with 'In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since.' It gives a sense of the narrator's voice and draws you into their world.

A vivid description can also make a great novel opening. Such as 'The sun blazed down on the dusty town, the heat rising in shimmering waves from the cracked streets. The saloon doors swung open, and a figure emerged, his face hidden beneath a wide - brimmed hat.' This type of opening sets the scene and makes the reader curious about what will happen next. It gives a sense of place and a hint of mystery.

Another one is 'Moby - Dick' with its famous opening 'Call me Ishmael.' It's a very simple yet powerful start. It immediately makes the reader focus on the character who is about to tell his story, and it has a certain air of mystery as we don't know much about Ishmael yet but are eager to follow his journey.

A strong opening often has an interesting character. If a character is introduced in a unique or engaging way, like Holden Caulfield in 'The Catcher in the Rye' starting with his cynical view of the world, it makes the reader want to know more about them.

In 'Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief', the opening where Percy realizes he has dyslexia and ADHD but then discovers there's more to it, like his connection to the demigod world. This start is interesting as it takes a common struggle and twists it into something extraordinary. It makes the reader curious about how these 'disabilities' are actually strengths in his new reality.